Tottenham are moving closer to signing the Brazil midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians. The 24-year-old, who is part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Confederations Cup squad, is expected to move to White Hart Lane in a deal worth around £15 million.

Paulinho will become the latest overseas recruit to the Premier League alongside the Sevilla forward Luis Alberto, who has joined Liverpool for £6.8m. Of the two-dozen major transfers to Premier League clubs this summer, fewer than six have been domestic players. The only high-profile move has been Andy Carroll from Liverpool to West Ham.

Aston Villa have signed five foreigners, Sunderland four, and Manchester City, Fulham, Norwich, Southampton and Swansea have only brought in foreign players. West Ham have taken Danny Whitehead from Stockport and the Scottish striker George Boyd has moved from Peterborough to Hull City.

Alberto, 20, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona B, is also a Spain Under-21 international. Liverpool's manager, Brendan Rodgers, said: "He has the correct profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player." Liverpool also expect to sign goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sunderland.

The Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will spend a third consecutive season on loan with Atletico Madrid. But Manchester City may miss out on Isco after Real Madrid agreed a fee for the gifted Malaga midfielder.